A brand-new set for thePokémon Trading Card Gamewas recently revealed, and it is certain to be exciting for both collectors and competitive players alike. Known asParadise Dragonain Japan, it is set to release on September 13, and will feature many formidable Pokémon who have a special Tera type. Due to both their incredible artwork and intense power, there are many amazing cards that can become great additions to both collections and competitive decks.
Although the English versions of these cards have yet to be revealed,many of them will become part of theSurging Sparkssetlater in November 2024. Not only will it include numerous Pokémon that are imbued with the power of Stellar Terastalization, but it will also feature many powerful Dragon-types to storm the battlefield. Given the abundance of new cards to collect, manyPokémonfans will want to obtain these cards for themselves as soon as they can.
10Excadrill
Card 029/064 In Paradise Dragona
In terms of both its artwork and mechanics, Excadrill is relatively simple, but it can be helpful in competitive play if used well. Even though its first attack, Digging Claw, deals only a small amount of damage,the fact that it can discard the top card of an opponent’s deck means that it can help lead to a possible victoryby making the opponent run out of cards quicker. The fact that this attack only requires a single Energy card means it can easily be used multiple times over the course of multiple turns.
Excadrill’s second attack is also very useful, especially if the opponent has a lot of benched Pokémon in play.The power of Drill Smash increases by 80 if the opponent has three or more benched Pokémon in play, meaning that a single blow is able to knock out most basic Pokémon. Combined with its decent 120 health points, this version of Excadrill is truly an effective hard-hitting attacker that can withstand multiple blows from most Pokémon.
9Iron Crown
Card 039/064 In Paradise Dragona
As one of the more recent Paradox Pokémon that was revealed inPokémon Scarlet and Violet’sIndigo DiskDLC, Iron Crown is a powerful and imposing variant of the Legendary Pokémon Cobalion, and its card inParadise Dragonais a true reflection of that strength. Similar to Excadrill, its first attack.Deleting Slash, increases its strength if the opponent has three or more benched Pokémon in play, leading to a very powerful blow. If these conditions are met, the move’s damage can even be greater than its own second attack, Slicing Blade.
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The artwork made by the illustrator akagi shows off just how imposing Iron Crown truly is. It is shown cutting through an icy storm with its horns, withstanding the brutal mountain environment with a challenging glare. Despite the high amount of energy it requires, Iron Crown is a useful heavy-hitter that would be a good addition to any deck.
8Dialga
Card 042/064 In Paradise Dragona
This artwork of Dialga truly gives off a sense of immense power that is worthy of aLegendary Pokémonwith command over time itself. The illustration made by Takumi Wada shows the Legendary Sinnoh Pokémon charging up a powerful attack, with large chunks of rock floating all around it. Such power is certainly reflected in its second attack, which is able to deal a significant 160 damage in one blow.
Dialga’s control over time is exemplified by its incredibly useful first move, Time Control, whichallows a player to search for any two cards and put them on the top of their deck. This allows a player to immediately grant themselves an advantage depending on the cards they wish to draw, and the fact that this move only requires a singular energy means that many cards can be moved around with ease. Although this does make Dialga more useful as a supporter rather than an attacker, its ability to be utilized well in competitive decks cannot be denied.
7Tapu Lele
Card 021/064 In Paradise Dragona
As a guardian of Alola, Tapu Lele is shown to be both beautiful and cruel, much like nature itself. Its artwork shows the Legendary Pokémon as a gentle, graceful creature, surrounded by fields of beautiful flowers that it seems to help with its powers. It appears to be gentle and sweet at first glance, but its attacks show that it can be the opposite of caring.
Although Tapu Lele’s first attack does a minimal amount of damage,it has the added benefit of confusing the opponent’s Pokémon. When combined with its second attack, Mental Crush, it can deal up to 180 damage if the opponent is already confused, which can be a devastating blow when combined with the damage the enemy might end up inflicting on themselves. Even if its health is rather low, and the amount of energy it needs is quite high, Tapu Lele still manages to prove itself as a useful addition to any deck.
6Lisia’s Appeal Secret Rare
Card 086/064 In Paradise Dragona
Lisia is a Pokémon coordinator who was first introduced inPokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, andthe secret rare version of her cardshowcases her capability as a performer in Pokémon Contests. The artwork made by En Morikura shows Lilia performing onstage in front of an audience, smiling as many spotlights shine down on her. It is truly gorgeous artwork that any collector will want to get their hands on.
Her trainer card is very reminiscent of the card Boss' Orders from priorPokémon TCGsets, which is able to switch out an opponent’s active Pokémon with one on their bench, but it has a few notable differences.This cardonly works on Basic Pokémon, which limits its usability, but doing so allows for the new active Pokémon to become confused. Since many powerful Legendary Pokémon are included in the list of Basic Pokémon, there are many formidable foes that can be temporarily be put out of commission by playing this useful card.
5Cyclizar ex
Card 051/064 In Paradise Dragona
While Cyclizar itself may seem like an unassuming Pokémon at first glance, its card showcases it as a formidable foe imbued with the dazzling power of Terastallization. On top of creating a glittering spectacle of color,the Tera power also grants Cyclizar the added benefit of not taking any damage while it is benched, thereby protecting it from any potential attacks from opponents.
Cyclizar’s first attack, Break Through, allows it todamage both the opponent’s active Pokémon and a single benched Pokémon at the same time, albeit for different amounts of damage. Furthermore, Zircon Road not only deals a massive amount of damage, but also allows the player to draw five cards, which provides the possibility of one player gaining an advantage by drawing the right cards. The only downsides to Cyclizar ex are that its attacks require a lot of energy to use, and it has significantly fewer health points compared to other ex cards in this set.
4Black Kyurem ex Secret Rare
Card 077/064 In Paradise Dragona
Embodying the frightening power of a raging storm, this version of Black Kyurem ex is depicted asan imposing dragon surrounded by numerous bolts of lightning, and marksKyurem’s return to theTCGafter a five-year absence. It is artwork that is very befitting of a powerful Legendary fusion, and its attacks are a true indication of how much of a threat it is to opponents. However, this immense amount of power does come with some limitations and drawbacks.
Black Kyurem’s first attack, Ice Age, deals 90 damage, but has an additional effect thatleaves any Pokémon associated with the trainer N paralyzed, serving as a nice callback to the fifth generation ofPokémontitles. However, the fact that this effect only applies to those specific Pokémon means that it will hardly be applicable to any other opponents. Furthermore, while Kyurem’s Black Frost attack is incredibly powerful, it does also cause Kyurem to damage itself, meaning that it can only be used sparingly.
3Flygon ex
Card 027/064 In Paradise Dragona
Another Pokémon granted the power of Stellar Terastallization, Flygon ex, is another powerful force to be reckoned with. Not only does its Tera power protect it from being damaged while benched, but its attacks also deal immense amounts of damage that can quickly put pressure on opponents.Its first attack, Storm Bug, is able to deal over 100 damage while requiring only a single Energy, and it also allows Flygon to retreat without needing to discard said energy.
At the same time, its second attack, Peridot Sonic, is equally useful, asit is able to deal 100 damage to every single one of an opponent’s V or ex cards. This is incredibly useful if an opponent has set up a lot of powerful cards, allowing for the possibility of knocking out multiple opponents at once. However, the only drawback is that it cannot apply extra damage for weaknesses, and it is not very effective if an opponent utilizes a deck that does not consist of a lot of ex or V cards.
2Archaludon ex Secret Rare
Card 088/064 In Paradise Dragona
This version of Archaludon ex can only be described as a powerhouse, as Shinya Mizuno’s illustration shows it demolishing rubble with relative ease while surrounded by surging electricity. Not only does Archaludon ex have an incredibly large number of health points, making ita very useful Pokémonthat can tank many hits, but its ability and attack are very useful and greatly benefit the player.
The ability Alloy Build allows the player to move two Steel Energy from their discard pile and attach it to any of their Steel-type Pokémon upon evolving Duraludon into Archaludon. This is incredibly useful since Archaludon requires a lot of energy to utilize its Metal Defender attack, which not only deals over 200 damage, but alsogives Archaludon no weaknesses during the opponent’s next turn. This is especially useful if Archaludon is specifically up against a deck that features a lot of Fire-type Pokémon, or needs to take down an opponent in a single hit.
1Alolan Exeggutor ex Secret Rare
Card 089/064 In Paradise Dragona
Without a doubt, this version of Alolan Exeggutor ex is the most incredible card in the entireParadise Dragonaset, both visually and mechanically.Exeggutor’s entire body is bedazzled thanks to the effects of Terastallization, creating a spectacle of lights and colors that look great against the vivid tropical sunset. Yuriko Akose clearly made an incredible illustration that is immediately eye-catching and awe-inspiring to all who lay eyes upon it.
Like many of the ex cards in this set, Alolan Exeggutor benefits from being unable to take any damage when on the bench thanks to Terastallization, but its attacks are what make this Pokémon a true threat compared to all the rest. Not only does Tropical Fever deal over 100 damage, but it also allows the player to take all the energy in their hand and distribute it however they wish. However,its best move is Swinging Sphene, which automatically knocks out an opponent’s Pokémonregardless of whether a player flips heads or tails, making it a formidable threat for any opponent in thePokémon Trading Card Game
